The burglar was a black man in his early 20s, about 6 feet tall and 175 to 180 pounds. He had short hair, police said, and was wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt.

He drove away in a 1980s-model, two-door Buick Regal with tinted windows and 20-inch chrome rims.

Achilles was in his cage during the first break-in, last week, when the burglar entered through a glass window in the rear door.

Russell's valuables, mostly electronics, were stolen, police said.

Russell did not report the first burglary, he said, because he didn't want his landlord to know about the dog.

The second time, the rear door was forced open.

Outside, police found parts of a Nintendo Wii the burglar dropped as he got away. Inside, they recovered shell casings from a large-caliber handgun.

Russell, who works as an auto detailer at a dealership on U.S. 19, is looking for a new place to live. He can't stand to be in the home where Achilles slept on his bed and barked at the doorbell. Achilles greeted all with a wagging tail.

"He was a sweetheart," Russell said. "All my friends loved him. My girlfriend's kids played with him all the time."

"It doesn't even feel like home now."

The other day, Russell picked up Achilles' ashes. A police officer was kind enough to donate $100 toward the veterinary bill, he said.

Anyone with information about the crime was asked to call police at (727) 893-7780, or anonymously at (727) 892-5000 or by text at (727) 420-8911.

Times researcher Natalie Watson contributed to this report. Luis Perez can be reached at (727)892-2271 or Lperez@sptimes.com.